December 13, 2024 Japan Figure

20 most popular Pokémon ranked in 2025: Iconic, legendary&famous vote

The most popular Pokémon have become more than just video game creatures, they are cultural icons that shape generations of fans worldwide. From Pikachu’s universal charm to Arceus’ legendary power, these Pokémon are admired not only for their battle strength but also for their stories, designs, and symbolism. In 2025, global polls and fan votes continue to highlight which ones remain the most beloved, proving that Pokémon is not just a game, but a shared passion.

Get ready to explore their strengths, abilities, and why they continue to dominate the world of Pokémon popularity with Japan Figure.

Top 1: Pikachu

Pikachu is the franchise’s official mascot and perhaps the most recognizable Pokémon in the world. With its yellow fur, red cheeks, and cheerful personality, Pikachu embodies the charm and friendliness that defines the Pokémon brand. First appearing in the original Red and Green games in Japan, Pikachu quickly became a cultural phenomenon that bridged the gap between video games, anime, and global merchandise.

The reason Pikachu ranks as the most popular Pokémon is clear: it has been Ash Ketchum’s loyal partner throughout the Pokémon anime, appearing in nearly every major series, movie, and promotional event. Its approachable design appeals to both children and adults, while its strong role in battles ensures it isn’t just about looks.

Whether in plush toys, trading cards, or even special collaborations, Pikachu remains the ultimate famous Pokémon that symbolizes the franchise’s worldwide Pokémon popularity. Its Electric typing also places it among the most powerful Electric type Pokémon, showing how its speed and signature Thunderbolt continue to influence competitive battles and fan polls alike.

Type: Electric
Strongest Move: Thunderbolt
Best Ability: Static
Best Stat: Speed
Location: Found in forests and early game routes
Weaknesses: Ground
Rarity: Common in games, but culturally priceless

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Top 2: Charizard

Charizard is one of the most iconic Pokémon in history, instantly recognizable for its dragon-like appearance, flaming tail, and fierce roar. As the final evolution of Charmander, it has long been a favorite starter evolution among players, symbolizing strength, determination, and fiery spirit. In the anime, Charizard’s rebellious nature gave it an unforgettable personality, making it stand out as one of Ash’s most memorable partners.

Charizard remains a famous Pokémon not just for nostalgia but also for its battle prowess. With two Mega Evolutions and a Gigantamax form, it has received more spotlight than most Pokémon, showcasing its popularity across generations. Fans admire its mix of power and design, while merchandise, trading cards, and game features continue to celebrate it as one of the most popular Pokémon ranked in every poll.

Type: Fire/Flying
Strongest Move: Flamethrower
Best Ability: Blaze
Best Stat: Special Attack
Location: Starter Pokémon evolution from Charmander
Weaknesses: Rock, Electric, Water
Rarity: Starter-exclusive, highly sought after

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Top 3: Eevee

Eevee is beloved worldwide for its cute, fox-like design and its incredible evolutionary potential. Known as the “Evolution Pokémon,” Eevee can evolve into multiple forms such as Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Sylveon, and more, offering players endless choices and personal expression. Its adaptability makes it one of the most charming and flexible Pokémon in the franchise.

Eevee’s Pokémon popularity skyrocketed thanks to its role in games like Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! and its frequent anime appearances. Fans admire its friendly personality, soft features, and wide range of evolutions, making it a well known Pokémon across all generations. From plush toys to figure collections, Eevee continues to shine as one of the most loved characters in the list of most popular Pokémon.

Type: Normal
Strongest Move: Quick Attack
Best Ability: Adaptability
Best Stat: Versatility
Location: Gift Pokémon, cities, or special encounters
Weaknesses: Fighting
Rarity: Semi-rare, but central in many games

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Top 4: Mewtwo

Mewtwo is the definition of a most popular legendary Pokémon, known for its mysterious origins as a clone of Mew and its unmatched psychic powers. Introduced in Generation I, Mewtwo quickly became a fan favorite for its sleek design and role as one of the toughest bosses in the original games. Its debut in Pokémon: The First Movie cemented it as a cultural legend, leaving fans amazed by its power and complexity.

The reason Mewtwo consistently ranks among the most popular Pokémon is its combination of lore, strength, and influence. With access to Mega Evolutions, competitive dominance, and one of the most dramatic backstories in the franchise, it remains a symbol of raw power. Fans continue to admire it as both an intimidating foe and a prized addition to any team.

Type: Psychic
Strongest Move: Psystrike
Best Ability: Pressure
Best Stat: Special Attack
Location: Cerulean Cave (Kanto)
Weaknesses: Bug, Ghost, Dark
: Legendary

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Top 5: Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is one of the original starter Pokémon from the Kanto region, and it remains a timeless favorite among fans. With its seed-like bulb on its back that grows into a giant plant upon evolution, Bulbasaur perfectly blends cuteness with natural strength. As one of the first choices players encountered in the games, it represents the beginning of countless trainers’ journeys.

Bulbasaur’s Pokémon popularity is driven by nostalgia, its role in the anime as Ash’s loyal companion, and its balance of strength and personality. Frequently voted as a well known Pokémon in global polls, it’s celebrated not only for its charm but also for its unique Grass/Poison typing. As a starter, Bulbasaur holds a special place in fans’ hearts, making it a must-have on any list of most popular Pokémon.

Type: Grass/Poison
Strongest Move: Solar Beam
Best Ability: Overgrow
Best Stat: Defense
Location: Starter Pokémon in Kanto
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Psychic, Ice
Rarity: Starter-exclusive, fan-favorite

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Top 6: Lucario

Lucario is a fan-favorite from the Sinnoh region, known for its sleek, wolf-like design and mastery of aura energy. Its appearance in Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew introduced its mystical aura abilities, which allow it to sense and manipulate energy around it. This mystical edge, combined with martial arts inspiration, makes it one of the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise.

Lucario’s Pokémon popularity comes from its consistent presence in competitive battles and its special connection with trainers in the games. Players admire its mix of Fighting and Steel typing, giving it a unique role in battles. Its popularity also skyrocketed after being included as a playable character in Super Smash Bros., ensuring Lucario’s place as a famous Pokémon loved worldwide.

Type: Fighting/Steel
Strongest Move: Aura Sphere
Best Ability: Inner Focus
Best Stat: Attack
Location: Given in Sinnoh games, mountain areas
Weaknesses: Fire, Fighting, Ground
Rarity: Semi-rare, often special gift Pokémon

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Top 7: Greninja

Greninja is a ninja-inspired Pokémon from the Kalos region, famous for its speed, sleek design, and water-shuriken battle style. Its transformation into Ash-Greninja during the anime made it an instant global sensation, blending anime storytelling with game mechanics in a way fans adored. Greninja’s water scarf-like tongue design is unique and has made it one of the most recognizable characters of the modern Pokémon era.

As one of the most well known Pokémon introduced in later generations, Greninja continues to be celebrated for its agility and versatile role in battles. It was voted the number one most popular Pokémon in an official global poll in 2020, cementing its place among the top favorites. Greninja’s Water/Dark typing also makes it a standout when compared to the best Water type Pokémon across the franchise, thanks to its speed and unique battle style.

Type: Water/Dark
Strongest Move: Water Shuriken
Best Ability: Protean
Best Stat: Speed
Location: Starter evolution from Froakie (Kalos)
Weaknesses: Fairy, Bug, Fighting, Grass, Electric
Rarity: Starter-exclusive, highly admired

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Top 8: Rayquaza

Rayquaza is one of the most famous Pokémon in the legendary tier, a majestic dragon that soars through the skies. Introduced in Generation III, it plays a crucial role in calming the conflict between Kyogre and Groudon, making it one of the most important figures in Pokémon lore. Its emerald-green, serpentine body and commanding presence make Rayquaza unforgettable.

As one of the most popular legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza is admired for both its battle dominance and its mythology. Its Mega Evolution made it even more powerful, often considered one of the strongest Pokemon cards ever introduced. Collectors and players alike treasure Rayquaza, cementing its place in every list of most popular Pokémon ranked worldwide.

Type: Dragon/Flying
Strongest Move: Dragon Ascent
Best Ability: Air Lock
Best Stat: Attack
Location: Sky Pillar (Hoenn)
Weaknesses: Ice, Dragon, Rock, Fairy
Rarity: Legendary

Top 9: Garchomp

Garchomp, the land shark-dragon hybrid from Sinnoh, has been a fan favorite since its debut. Its streamlined design combines ferocity with speed, and its battle style makes it a menace both in-game and in competitive play. Cynthia’s Garchomp in the Pokémon games and anime is one of the most feared opponents, adding to its legendary reputation.

Garchomp’s Pokémon popularity comes from its competitive dominance. With access to powerful moves like Earthquake and Dragon Claw, it’s a staple on many strong teams. Fans admire it as both a dangerous opponent and a reliable ally, making it a well known Pokémon among experienced trainers and one of the most respected in the series.

Type: Dragon/Ground
Strongest Move: Earthquake
Best Ability: Rough Skin
Best Stat: Attack
Location: Sinnoh caves and mountains
Weaknesses: Ice, Fairy, Dragon
Rarity: Semi-rare, pseudo-legendary

Top 10: Snorlax

Snorlax is one of the most beloved Pokémon thanks to its humorous yet powerful design. Known for blocking paths in the early games, its massive, sleepy figure makes it instantly recognizable. Despite its laziness, Snorlax is a powerhouse, able to endure hits and deliver devastating damage when necessary.

Snorlax’s charm lies in the balance between comedy and strength, which explains its enduring Pokémon popularity. From memes to merchandise, it has become a famous Pokémon that fans of all ages adore. Whether it’s used as a tank in battles or featured in collectible figures, Snorlax has firmly secured its role as an iconic Pokémon on any top ranking list.

Type: Normal
Strongest Move: Body Slam
Best Ability: Thick Fat
Best Stat: HP
Location: Often found blocking routes in Kanto
Weaknesses: Fighting
Rarity: Rare encounter, cultural icon

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Top 11: Togekiss

Togekiss is the final evolution of the beloved Togepi line, symbolizing joy, grace, and peace. With its angelic design and white wings, it looks gentle yet plays a significant role in both anime and competitive battles. In the anime, Misty’s Togepi and later evolutions made the line incredibly endearing to fans.

Togekiss is considered a well known Pokémon thanks to its combination of cuteness and surprising battle strength. Its Fairy/Flying typing gives it valuable resistances, and its signature Serene Grace ability makes it a powerful contender in competitive play. Loved for both its aesthetics and effectiveness, Togekiss has earned its place among the most popular Pokémon ranked in 2025.

Type: Fairy/Flying
Strongest Move: Air Slash
Best Ability: Serene Grace
Best Stat: Special Attack
Location: Evolves from Togetic with a Shiny Stone
Weaknesses: Steel, Electric, Ice, Poison, Rock
Rarity: Rare evolutionary line

Top 12: Sylveon

Sylveon, the Fairy-type evolution of Eevee, is adored for its pastel colors and ribbon-like feelers, giving it a magical and elegant design. Since its introduction in Generation VI, Sylveon has been one of the most admired Eeveelutions, balancing beauty and battle capability.

With its graceful appearance and reliable strength, Sylveon is widely seen as an iconic Pokémon among both collectors and players. It also ranks high on lists of the most powerful Fairy type Pokémon, proving that its elegance is matched by serious battle capability.

Type: Fairy
Strongest Move: Moonblast
Best Ability: Pixilate
Best Stat: Special Defense
Location: Evolves from Eevee with high friendship while knowing a Fairy move
Weaknesses: Steel, Poison
Rarity: Popular Eeveelution

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Top 13: Zygarde

Zygarde is a legendary Pokémon from Generation VI, representing balance and order in the Pokémon world. With its multiple forms 10%, 50%, and Complete Forme, Zygarde offers unique lore tied to the balance between Xerneas and Yveltal. Its serpent-like and mecha-inspired designs have made it a standout among legendaries.

As one of the most popular legendary Pokémon, Zygarde is admired for its mythology and distinctive appearance. Its role in the games as a guardian of ecosystems adds depth to its character, while its Complete Forme boasts one of the highest base stats of any Pokémon. Collectors and battlers alike recognize Zygarde as a famous Pokémon worth remembering.

Type: Dragon/Ground
Strongest Move: Core Enforcer
Best Ability: Power Construct
Best Stat: HP (Complete Forme)
Location: Terminus Cave (Kalos)
Weaknesses: Ice, Dragon, Fairy
Rarity: Legendary, unique due to its form system

Top 14: Magikarp

Magikarp is one of the most recognizable common Pokémon, often remembered for its weak splash attack and comical presence. Despite its lack of strength in battles, its design and role in the franchise have made it an unforgettable character. Its eventual evolution into Gyarados gives it an underdog story that fans love.

Magikarp’s Pokémon popularity comes from its humor, memes, and surprise value. It is often featured in anime episodes as a joke but remains beloved because of the dramatic transformation it undergoes. This dual identity, from weakest to one of the strongest, ensures Magikarp remains a famous Pokémon in every generation.

Type: Water
Strongest Move: Tackle (before evolving)
Best Ability: Swift Swim
Best Stat: Speed (relative for its tier)
Location: Found in rivers, ponds, and via Old Rod
Weaknesses: Electric, Grass
Rarity: Extremely common, but culturally iconic

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Top 15: Arceus

Known as the “Original One,” Arceus is the creator of the Pokémon universe according to the lore. With its divine design and the ability to change type based on held Plates, Arceus stands as one of the most versatile and powerful Pokémon in existence. Its mythological background gives it a god-like aura that fans admire.

Arceus is undoubtedly one of the most popular legendary Pokémon, combining lore, aesthetics, and sheer power. Its role in Pokémon Legends: Arceus brought it even more into the spotlight, making it a famous Pokémon for modern fans. Collectors and players alike recognize it as one of the most important characters in the list of most popular Pokémon ranked in 2025.

Type: Normal (multitype depending on Plate)
Strongest Move: Judgment
Best Ability: Multitype
Best Stat: All-around balanced (720 base total)
Location: Sinnoh mythology, event-exclusive
Weaknesses: Fighting (varies with type)
Rarity: Mythical/Legendary

Top 16: Gardevoir

Gardevoir is admired for its elegant, humanoid design and strong psychic and fairy abilities. Known as a loyal companion that will protect its trainer at all costs, Gardevoir embodies grace, intelligence, and loyalty. It has appeared in many games, anime episodes, and even Mega Evolutions.

Gardevoir’s Pokémon popularity is tied to its beauty and strength in battles. With access to powerful moves like Psychic and Moonblast, it is a staple in competitive play. Fans view it as an iconic Pokémon thanks to its caring lore and aesthetic design, making it one of the most admired creatures in the franchise.

Type: Psychic/Fairy
Strongest Move: Moonblast
Best Ability: Trace
Best Stat: Special Attack
Location: Evolves from Ralts/Kirlia
Weaknesses: Ghost, Poison, Steel
Rarity: Rare encounter, highly valued

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Top 17: Shiny Galarian Ponyta

Shiny Galarian Ponyta is one of the most visually striking Pokémon thanks to its pastel-colored mane and mystical unicorn-like design. Introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Galarian form of Ponyta brought a new Psychic typing and a magical aesthetic that fans instantly adored. The Shiny version, with its unique shimmering colors, quickly became a collector’s dream.

Its Pokémon popularity comes from a mix of rarity, beauty, and cultural appeal. Many fans consider it an iconic Pokémon of the Galar region, representing elegance and fantasy. Collectors love hunting for its Shiny form, while casual fans celebrate it for its enchanting appearance, making it a must-have in the list of most popular Pokémon ranked.

Type: Psychic
Strongest Move: Psybeam
Best Ability: Run Away / Pastel Veil
Best Stat: Speed
Location: Glimwood Tangle (Galar)
Weaknesses: Ghost, Dark, Bug
Rarity: Shiny form extremely rare

Top 18: Ditto

Ditto is one of the most unique Pokémon ever created, known for its ability to transform into any other Pokémon it encounters. With its simple, blob-like design and trademark smile, Ditto has become both a humorous and valuable creature in the franchise.

Ditto’s Pokémon popularity is tied to its transformation ability, which makes it essential for breeding in the games. It has also been a recurring character in the anime, where its quirky transformations add humor. Fans appreciate Ditto as a famous Pokémon for its versatility, charm, and playful personality.

Type: Normal
Strongest Move: Transform
Best Ability: Imposter
Best Stat: Flexibility (copies opponent stats)
Location: Caves, plains, and special areas in multiple regions
Weaknesses: Fighting
Rarity: Rare but highly useful

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Top 19: Dragonite

Dragonite is one of the first pseudo-legendary Pokémon and has remained a fan-favorite since Generation I. With its friendly, dragon-like design and powerful stats, Dragonite strikes a perfect balance between strength and approachability. It has also appeared in the anime as both a powerful ally and a majestic guardian, further boosting its reputation.

Dragonite’s Pokémon popularity is fueled by its rarity in the early games and its impressive battle performance. Its ability to learn a wide range of moves makes it extremely versatile, while its warm-hearted design makes it a beloved iconic Pokémon. Dragonite continues to be one of the most admired creatures on the list of most popular Pokémon ranked in 2025.

Type: Dragon/Flying
Strongest Move: Outrage
Best Ability: Multiscale
Best Stat: Attack
Location: Rare catch in Kanto’s Safari Zone/Dragon’s Den (via Dragonair evolution)
Weaknesses: Ice, Dragon, Rock, Fairy
Rarity: Pseudo-legendary, highly valued

Top 20: Gumshoos

Gumshoos, the evolved form of Yungoos, gained attention for its detective-like design, resembling a mongoose standing tall. While it doesn’t have the elegance or power of other Pokémon on this list, its unique appearance and role in Pokémon Sun and Moon as a Trial Totem Pokémon gave it some recognition.

FAQs - People also ask about most popular Pokémon ranked

Before we finish, let’s answer some of the most common questions fans ask about Pokémon rankings and popularity.

Which Pokémon is number one?

Bulbasaur has frequently ranked as the number one Pokémon in international popularity polls. Its appeal comes from being one of the original starters and its balanced design that combines cuteness with battle readiness. Nostalgia and recognition keep it at the top of the list of most popular Pokémon.

Which Pokémon type is the most popular?

Ghost-type Pokémon are consistently rated as the most popular overall. Fans love their mysterious designs, creative abilities, and spooky lore. With fan-favorites like Gengar and Mimikyu representing the type, Ghost Pokémon embody a perfect mix of fun, fear, and originality, keeping them among the iconic Pokémon.

Who is the least popular Pokémon?

Rellor was recently named the least popular Pokémon in a global poll. Other Pokémon such as Silcoon, Gothita, and the evolutionary line Yungoos/Gumshoos have also been noted as receiving little to no votes in past surveys, showing that Pokémon popularity can vary widely between generations.

What is the rarest Pokémon?

There isn’t a single “rarest Pokémon,” as rarity changes depending on the game and context. Some event-exclusive Mythical Pokémon, such as Arceus or Mew, are considered rare due to limited availability. However, every generation has its own Pokémon that fans treasure as rare finds.

What is the poorest Pokémon?

Shedinja is often referred to as the “poorest” Pokémon due to its unusual mechanics. It always has just 1 HP, regardless of level, which makes it fragile in battles. Despite this limitation, it is a famous Pokémon for its unique gameplay concept and continues to intrigue fans worldwide.

The most popular Pokémon of 2025 remind us why this franchise has remained one of the most influential parts of global pop culture. From iconic faces like Pikachu and Charizard to legendary powerhouses such as Mewtwo and Arceus, each Pokémon carries a story that resonates with fans of all ages. Their designs, abilities, and emotional connections ensure that they continue to stand out as not just characters, but symbols of imagination and adventure.

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